An Audience with Sir Ian McKellen, 5/5/2003

During Sir McKellen's show 'An Audience with Sir Ian McKellen' the question was
posed about the Hobbit.

"Would you like to play Gandalf again in The Hobbit?"

Sir McKellen make a quick "Yes" and pauses and replies "Yes, I am indeed
interested in playing Gandalf again in The Hobbit. Actually I had the idea
of doing it as a television series where each chapter of the book is an
episode that way the entire book is made. I approached Peter Jackson about
it and told him my idea but he has not responded to me yet. Don't you think
that would be a good idea?"

Sir McKellen turns for a response to the audience. Everyone in the crowd
yells "No a film. We want a film." Sir McKellen turns to the audience and
says "You want a film?" The whole audience joins in the roar and clapping
about making The Hobbit into a film.

A report on the rest of the evening:

The evening with Sir McKellen began in a coverted church turned theater
space on the Isle of the Dogs, London. There were only 200 people at The
Space and it seemed the perfect amount for what turned into an enchanting
evening with Sir McKellen.

Sir McKellen, surprising the whole audience, did not enter stage right as
most actors would. Rather up the main aisle Sir McKellen walked in at a
quick pace having run a few minutes late. As he walked down the aisle a
whisper of apologies followed the roar of the audience. Tears couldn't help
but enter one's eyes at the excitement of seeing a truly fine actor.

On a plain stage with just a bouquet of flowers, a table and a stool Sir
McKellen began his evening reading from his own copy, carried with him the
whole time of the shoot, of The Lord of the Rings. The audience entranced
his reading of The Long Expected Party.

Sir McKellen then stepped forward with goodies from the film set. The
audience was treated to a passing around of the doorhandle of Orthanc,
Bilbo's keys, as well as cutlery from Bag End. The next order of business
was handing out books to the line of children sitting around the stage.

Questions from the audience began coming forward asking Sir McKellen about
the fight with the Balrog to which Gandalf did he prefer to play, "Gandalf
the White or Gandalf the Grey?" Naturally Sir McKellen said Gandalf the
Grey.

Oscars were the next subject of discussion for Sir McKellen and the
campaigns an actor has to go through with the press. The audience was
enlightened to the fact that one has to go around to Academy members to
obtain their vote. Sir McKellen spoke of his most recent nomination as
Gandalf and going through four months of intensive interviews from the
media. And he sadly admitted at the end that there was no happy ending of
this tale for he did not win the Oscar. He finished with a wink to the
crowd.

Onto another reading from Sir McKellen from his Lord of the Rings book this
time prompted by another Balrog question. The audience was treated to almost
the entire chapter of the fall of Gandalf in Moria. The most exciting
moments in the reading were his lines "You shall not pass!" narrated with
the full heart of the character we see in the film, then to the quiet
pindrop of the lines "Fly you Fools!" All of which entranced the audience to
full applause at the end.

Sir McKellen finished with a speech from Sir Thomas Moore that had the
audience to enwrapped.

Sir McKellen ended the evening with an auction of his LOTR books and cups he
had brought with him in order to raise money for the theater The Space. He
was jovial and kind while going for the highest bidder with a poster of his
most recent play The Dance of Death. And then to show what a gentlemen he
really is Sir McKellen stayed after the show for almost 2 hours signing
autographs and meeting people. Always with a smile on his face and a firm
handshake with a "Thank You" at the end.

The Audience with Sir McKellen revealed what a true talent Sir McKellen
really is.. and what a gentleman.